UPIKE plans new biblical exhibit examining world of Jesus Christ
0Staff Report
Following the success of last year’s Biblical archaeology museum exhibit in Pikeville, “Khirbet el-Maqatir & A Journey through Biblical History,” the University of Pikeville is proud to announce a new exhibit for 2018 – “The World of Jesus.” This exhibit will focus on artifacts from the first century by featuring selections of archaeological artwork and video material from the Holy Land that illuminate the historic period in which New Testament events occurred.
Approximately 60 artifacts from the early Roman period are on loan to UPIKE for this new exhibit and include examples of Roman gods, ancient coins, pottery, a rare ancient ossuary, storage jars possibly from sites Jesus visited during his lifetime and various other first-century artifacts.
Tommy Chamberlin, exhibit director and UPIKE Alumni Association president, said, “We are excited to host another world-class Biblical archaeology exhibit for the people of eastern Kentucky. This year’s project will focus on the world that Jesus knew. Our understanding of this period of history is often marred by living two thousand years later in a different culture. Our goal is to bring to life the first-century world.”
“The World of Jesus” will be offered to the community in a unique way. Exhibit previews, which include a presentation by Chamberlin, will be mobile and available to community, school and church groups.
“One of my favorite things about the ‘World of Jesus’ project is its mobility,” Chamberlin said. “We can bring a great collection of artifacts to local church groups, community groups and schools. Our decision was to make this exhibit available to the wider community by taking it to our area churches and schools for a limited time. However, that opportunity runs out this summer so we encourage groups to get scheduled now.”
Dr. Scott Stripling, directing archaeologist of the Shiloh and Khirbet el-Maqatir excavations in Israel, said, “The public appetite for insight into Late Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity remains insatiable. The University of Pikeville’s ‘The World of Jesus’ exhibit illuminates the first-century culture into which Jesus was born. I excavated some of these artifacts and authenticated the others. The people of Eastern Kentucky and states as far away as Texas will benefit greatly from interacting with the material culture from the Classical World.”
“The World of Jesus” is sponsored by Community Trust Bank and will travel to Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania after leaving Pikeville. A schedule for the walk-through museum will be announced later this summer.
To schedule an exhibit preview or for more information, email exhibit@upike.edu or call 606-422-5952.